Depth over Depression - A Review of Ghost Bath's Self Loather

It should by now be known that Ghost Bath are not exactly who they have already claimed to be. What initially appeared to be an underground black metal project from Chongqing, China turned out to be a quartet from Minot, North Dakota. What originally appeared to be an anonymous group has become a group that has been on multiple tours in recent years. What once seemed to be a group with sinister, mysterious and distant attitudes has become and excellent quartet of entertainers who deliver the goods on stage and don't hesitate to attempt to seduce some of the most beautiful female fans in attendance.

Similar things could be said about the group's fourth full length effort Self Loather. It appears to be a depressing underground black metal production but actually comes around with classical piano play and much instrumental diversity. I would thus disagree with reviewers who call this output particularly sinister. It's rather an emotional ride that at times invites to dream yourself far away. The cello, violin and piano sounds in songs such as the diversified, epic and intellectually appealing ''Sanguine Mask'' and calm, elegant and soothing instrumental ''I Hope Death Finds Me Well" deserve to be described as highlights.

Those who are looking for blistering black metal without any compromises should dig relentless, thunderous and urgent opener "Convince Me to Bleed" as well as haunting, intense and short closer "Flickering Wicks of Black". Even such songs however often slow down and flirt with elegiac gothic metal atmospheres, classic heavy metal rhythms and minor influences from neofolk and classical music.

These examples prove that Ghost Bath's Self Loather is a particularly inspired album that deserves to be discovered time and again. The ten songs with a total running time of forty-six minutes should not only appeal to black metal fans but also to people appreciating gothic metal and even neofolk as well as classical music. This record needs some time to unfold but ultimately delivers the goods to patient listeners. Instead of finding this release depressive, I find its versatile creativity rather life-affirming. The same can be said about the band's mantra-like live shows and I would strongly recommend attending one of the band's concerts if they happen to come to a nearby location.

Final Rating: 80%